All the US coastal monitors of the Civil War presented generally the
same appearance: a low iron "raft" with one or more turrets on deck, and
little, if any, superstructure. These ships were intended solely for
operations in sheltered coastal waters; two were sunk when open ocean
passages were attempted.

Most of the Civil War monitors were designed by John Ericsson, and used a
turret of his own design. Ericsson's monitors were built with a shoal
iron hull supporting an ironclad "raft", the raft being the only portion
visible above water. The raft was of very low freeboard, and generally
featured a large overhang all around, particularly at the bow and stern.
The joining of the iron hull to the overhanging raft was a weak point in
most designs.

Most of the surviving ships went into reserve ("ordinary") immediately
after the Civil War. Most remained in reserve for many years, generally
with little or no additional service, before finally being disposed of.

Concept/Program: The first "monitor", and gave her name to the type.
The vessel was intended as a means to counter Confederate ships
attempting to challenge the blockade of southern ports; the type also saw
considerable service in attacking coastal fortifications. This was the
first US warship fitted with a turret.

Design: Designed by Ericsson. Set the standard pattern for all
following monitors. In addition to the general weaknesses of the type
(i.e. seaworthiness), ventilation was very poor (despite the first use of
mechanical ventilation in a warship), leading to terrible conditions for
the crew. The originally planned armor had to be much reduced to increase
freeboard; even so, freeboard was only 14 inches. The turret mechanism
was imprecise and difficult to work. The anchor and hawsepipe were below
the "raft", in the hull itself, dangerously close to the water. There was
a small pilothouse forward, and low funnels aft. Design speed of 8 knots
was not reached. Despite design flaws, this ship set the stage for
future monitors and battleships.

Operational: Is best known for her engagement with CSS
Virginia (a.k.a. "Merrimac" in Hampton Roads, 9 March 1862;
this battle was the first ironclad-vs.-ironclad encounter, and the start
of the modern battleship era.

Engaged CSS Virginia 9 March 1862. Participated in actions on the
James River and supported Army forces during the summer of 1862. Sank
under tow off Cape Hatteras during a Force 7 gale, 31 December 1862.

Concept/Program: An improved version of Monitor, correcting
several of the deficiencies of that ship. Most of these vessels were
contracted to their designer, John Ericsson, who then subcontracted the
actual construction of the ships to various shipyards. Several
of these monitors were renamed during 1869, then returned to their
original names within a few weeks.

Design: Designed by Ericsson. Compared to Monitor, there
was better ventilation, higher funnels, improved "raft" and hull shape,
and the pilothouse was atop the turret. Seaworthiness was evidently
improved, as Lehigh survived a Force 10 gale off Cape Hatteras,
perhaps the worst conditions survived by any ship of this general type.
One major weakness was extreme vulnerability to mines.

Variations: Two units were completed with variant armament, as
listed above; Lehigh had her 11 inch replaced by an 8 inch Parrot
MLR soon after completion.

Modernization: Following the attacks on Charleston there were
improvements in armor around the turret and pilothouse bases, turret
roof, and decks over magazines and machinery. Two light guns of various
types were also fitted in most or all units. All surviving units
were eventually fitted with two 15 inch Dahlgren smoothbores.

Operational: Saw extensive service during the Civil War, almost
exclusively during the attacks on Charleston, and the blockade of
surrounding waters. Postwar they saw little action, but survived to the
late 1890's and early 1900's, and were recommissioned for "coast defense"
during the Spanish American War.

Departure from Service/Disposal: All the survivors were discarded
within a few years of 1900, by which time they were quite old and
completely obsolete. Although nominally in reserve, towards the end of
their existence (especially after the Spanish-American War), they were
probably poorly maintained and in no condition to return to service.

Severely damaged 7 April 1863 during attacks on Charleston;
decommissioned at New York for repairs 12 May 1863. During repairs the 8
inch Parrot MLR was apparently replaced by an 11 inch Dahlgren smoothbore.
Recommissioned 19 July 1863 and took part in all subsequent actions at
Charleston.

Decommissioned to reserve 16 June 1865. Repaired and prepared for service
1876; recommissioned 24 November 1876. Served as a receiving ship at
Washington DC 1878-1882, then at the Naval Academy 1883-1892, at Boston
1893-1894. Loaned to the Massachusetts Naval Militia 1895-1896; Georgia
Naval Militia 1897-1898.

Recommissioned for Spanish American War service 16 May
1898; decommissioned 11 September 1898. Sold for scrapping 10
October 1899.

Saw extensive service during operations of Charleston. Six alleged
accomplices to assassin John Wilkes Booth were briefly imprisoned aboard
during April 1865, while Booth's body was also aboard. Decommissioned to
reserve mid-late 1865. Sold for scrapping 14 April 1904.

Built by Harrison Loring, City Point Works, South Boston, Mass.
Launched 7 October 1862, commissioned 29 December 1862.

Saw extensive service off Charleston; badly damaged in action 7 April
1863.

Decommissioned to reserve 11 August 1865. Renamed Atlas 15 June
1869, then Nahant 10 August 1869. Recommissioned for Spanish American War
service 12 April 1898; decommissioned postwar, probably September 1898.
Sold for scrapping 6 April 1904.

Survived the storm that sank Monitor. Saw extensive service around
Charleston; captured CSS Atlanta 17 June 1863. Sunk in a gale
off Morris Island, Charleston, 6 December 1863, due to shipping water
through the hawsepipe and hatches while at anchor.

Operated in Hampton Roads and area rivers, then off Charleston.
Decommissioned to reserve postwar, probably mid-1865. Renamed
Jason 15 June 1869.
Recommissioned for Spanish American War service 13 May 1898;
decommissioned 1899. Sold for scrapping 1905.

Contracted to John Ericsson; construction subcontracted to Continental Iron
Works, Greenpoint, NY. Launched 6 December 1862, outfitted at New York Navy
Yard, commissioned 24 February 1863.

Served exclusively in operations around Charleston. Decommissioned to
reserve 26 July 1865. Renamed Goliath 15 June 1869, then
Catskill 10 August 1869. Repaired and prepared for service at New
York Navy Yard 1874-1875; recommissioned late 1875 or early 1876.
Decommissioned to reserve late 1877 or early 1878.

Recommissioned for Spanish American
War service 26 April 1898; decommissioned 22 September 1898. Sold for
scrapping 4 December 1901.

Saw extensive service around Charleston. Decommissioned to reserve 24
June 1865. Renamed Medusa 15 June 1869, then Nantucket 10
August
1869. Briefly recommissioned from 29 July 1882 to 12 December 1882 and again
16 June 1884 to 6 October 1884, returning to reserve when decommissioned.

Loaned to the North Carolina Naval Militia 1895. Apparently
recommissioned for Spanish American War service; dates unknown. Sold for
scrapping 14 November 1900.

The 11 inch smoothbore was replaced by an 8 inch Parrot MLR immediately
after completion. Operated in Hampton Roads and the James River, then off Charleston. Ran
aground under enemy fire and was damaged, 16 November 1863.

Decommissioned to reserve 9 June 1865. Recommissioned 15 December 1875
as a training ship for the Naval Academy, then operated off Port Royal.
Decommissioned to reserve 1879. Recommissioned for Spanish American War
service 18 April 1898; decommissioned 8 September 1898. Sold for
scrapping 14 April 1904.

Built by Donohue, Ryan & Secor at Joseph Coldwell, Jersey City, NJ.
Construction was delayed
by use of her parts for other vessels. Disassembled and shipped to San
Francisco in 1863 aboard the freighter Aquila, which sank at her
dock 16 November 1863, before the monitor was unloaded. Camanche
was salvaged, reassembled at Union Iron Works, and launched 14 November 1864, commissioned
22 August 1865.

Apparently was completed with two 15 inch Dahlgren smoothbores.
Decommissioned to reserve shortly after commissioning. Loaned to the
California Naval Militia 1896-1897. Apparently
reactivated for Spanish-American
War service; dates unknown. Sold for scrapping 22 March 1899.

Concept/Program: An improved version of the Passaic class,
taking into account war experience. Four units
were incomplete at the end of the Civil War.

Design: Designed by Ericsson. Significant changes from the
Passaic design included heavier deck armor, better internal backing
for the armor, uniform main batteries, and heavy armor around the turret
base. As in the previous classes,
they were highly vulnerable to mines. The design speed of 13 knots was not
met.

Built by Harrison Loring, City Point Works, South Boston. Contracted 15
September 1862, launched 1 August 1863, commissioned 16 April 1864.

Operated in the James River, then in blockade service, and in attacks on
Fort Fisher.

Decommissioned to reserve 30 June 1865. Renamed Scylla 15 June
1869, then Canonicus 10 August 1869. May have been overhauled
during 1869-1972. Recommissioned 22 January 1872 and operated with the
fleet, but was frequently placed out of commission for short periods.
Decommissioned to reserve 1877. Retained in reserve for use as a display
at the 1907 Jamestown Exposition; was cleaned up, towed to the Exposition
and placed on display, but was not
recommissioned or made operable. Sold 19 February 1908.

Saw extensive service in the James
River and in the assault on Wilmington. One 15" gun exploded 12
January 1865. Two alleged accomplices to assassin John Wilkes Booth were
briefly imprisoned aboard during April 1865.

Decommissioned to reserve 13 June 1865. Recommissioned 30 April 1869 and
operated along the Florida coast. Renamed Centaur 15 June 1869,
then Saugus 10 August 1869. Decommissioned to reserve 31 December
1870; recommissioned 9 November 1872; decommissioned to reserve 9 March
1874; recommissioned 10 October 1874; decommissioned to reserve 8 October
1877. Condemned 1886, sold for scrapping 25 May 1891.

Decommissioned to reserve August 1865. Renamed Neptune 15 June
1869, then Manhattan 10 August 1869. Prepared for service at
Philadelphia 1872-1873, recommissioned 19
November 1873. Was inactive after June 1877, but actual date of
decommissioning is unknown. Stricken for disposal 14 December 1901; sold
for scrapping 24 March 1902.

Participated in the attacks on Charleston and Wilmington, and operated in
the James and Appomatox Rivers.

Decommissioned to reserve June 1865; recommissioned 15 January 1866.
Renamed Castor 15 June 1869, then Mahopac 10 August 1869.
Decommissioned to reserve 11 March 1872; recommissioned 21 November 1873.
From 1876 to 1888 she was apparently mostly stationary in various ports.
Decommissioned to reserve 1889. Stricken for disposal 14 January 1902;
sold for scrapping 25 March 1902.

Built by Miles Greenwood at John Litherbury, Cincinnati, OH. Contracted
15 September 1862, laid down 28 September 1862, launched 22 December 1864,
completed December 1865, delivered 15 February 1866. Not commissioned;
placed in reserve immediately upon delivery. Renamed Vesuvius
15 June 1869, then Wyandotte 10 August 1869. Overhauled by John
Roach, Chester, PA, 1873-1874. Commissioned 24 January 1876.

Operated with the fleet until 1879, then served as station ship at
Washington, DC. Decommissioned to reserve 1885. Loaned to the Connecticut
state militia 1896. Returned to the Navy and recommissioned for Spanish American War
service 30 April 1898; decommissioned 20 September 1898. Sold for
scrapping 17 January 1899.

Built by Snowdon & Mason, South Pittsburgh, PA Contracted 15 September 1862,
launched 18 December 1864, completed 27 September 1865. Not
commissioned, laid
up in reserve immediately upon delivery. Renamed Ajax 15 June
1869. Commissioned 1 January 1871.

Operated from Key West briefly. Decommissioned at Philadelphia for
repairs 1 July 1871, recommissioned 13 January 1874; decommissioned to
reserve 27 July 1875. Recommissioned 5 November 1875 but remained
inactive; decommissioned to reserve 30 June 1891.

Loaned to the New Jersey Naval Militia 26 September 1895. Returned to
the Navy and recommissioned for Spanish American War service 9 July 1898,
but decommissioned 1 September 1898, before necessary repairs and
overhaul had been completed. Sold for scrapping 10 October 1899.

Built by Alex Swift & Co and Niles Works, Cincinnati, OH. Contracted 10
September 1862, launched 13 April 1864, completed 10 June 1865. Never
commissioned; placed in reserve immediately upon delivery. Sold to Alex
Swift & Co in 1868 and resold to Peru as Atahuallpa 2 April 1868.
Scuttled at Callao 16 January 1881, raised in 1881; used as hulk. Finally
discarded around 1910 and presumably scrapped.

Saw extensive service along the James
River, supporting Army operations.

Decommissioned to reserve 8 June 1865. Sold to her builder 12 July 1867,
and was then resold to France
under the same name. Was rearmed by the French with four 9.4 inch rifles;
remained in service through 1903, stricken 1904, and subsequently
scrapped.

Concept/Program: Larger dual-turreted monitors, generally
considered the best US monitors of the era. Two ships of the class
undertook major ocean voyages, indicating a vast improvement in
seaworthiness over the earlier classes.

Design: Designed by the Navy. The hull was of conventional form,
but was unfortunately wooden, not iron. Freeboard was 31 inches. The
turrets were similar to those of the Passaic class, but slightly
larger; a pilothouse was fitted atop each turret. There was a light
hurricane deck between the turrets, a tall funnel and a tall ventilation
shaft. There were variations among the ships, and some sources identify
them as four one-ship classes. Tonawanda's turrets were closer
together than in the other three ships.

Departure from Service/Disposal: By the 1870's the wooden hulls
were badly rotted, and the ships were disposed of. They were nominally
"repaired" as "New Navy" monitors, but in fact the old wooden ships were
sold to the shipbuilders as partial payment for the new iron ships, and
were scrapped.

Built by New York Navy Yard. Laid down 1862, launched 15 August 1863,
commissioned 18 September 1865.

Sent to Europe under tow in 1866; operated in
European waters 16 June
1866 to 15 May 1867. Decommissioned to reserve 26 July 1867; recommissioned
15 November 1869; decommissioned to reserve 28 July 1870.

Transferred to John Roach, Chester, PA for scrapping, 1874, as partial payment for a new
monitor of the same name.

Built by Boston Navy Yard. Laid down 1862, launched 23 March 1863,
commissioned 4 October 1864.

Participated in the assault on Fort Fisher and in operations on the James
River. Sent to the Pacific under tow; departed Philadelphia 5 October
1865 and arrived at San Francisco 21 June 1866. Decommissioned to reserve
30 June 1866.

Transferred to Continental Iron Works, Vallejo, CA for scrapping,
1874-75, as partial payment for a new monitor of the same name.

The shallow-draft coastal monitors were essentially shallow-hulled and
lightweight versions of the other coastal classes. The Milwaukees
were designed for river service, but were employed to good effect in the
Gulf of Mexico. In general the notes for coastal monitors apply to
these ships as well.

Concept/Program: A class of shallow-draft dual-turret monitors
designed for river service, but also employed in the Gulf of Mexico.
Apparently were some of the best-designed monitors of the time, and were
generally a success.

Design: Designed by Eads. They were iron-hulled with a
turtleback deck. The forward turret was a standard Ericsson turret (as in
the Passaic class), but the aft one was designed by Eads.
The Eads turret allowed double the elevation of the main guns
(20 degrees vs. 10 degrees). There was a pilothouse at deck level, abaft
the forward turret. Additional deck armor was later added over the
magazines and perhaps over the machinery. Evidently had much better
compartmentalization than other monitors of the time, as the one that was
mined took three minutes to sink (vs. 15-30 seconds for other classes),
and one compartment of the sunken ship did not flood for nearly an hour.

Operated exclusively in the area of Mobile, AL. Mined and sunk
in the Blakely River, 29 March 1865. Salvaged in 1868, towed to St.
Louis and scrapped; some material reportedly was used in the
construction of the Eads Bridge in St. Louis.

Operated briefly on the Mississippi, then exclusively in the area of
Mobile, AL.

Decommissioned to reserve 6 July 1865. Renamed Samson 15 June
1869, then Chickasaw 10 August 1869. Sold 12 September 1874 and
converted to a railroad ferry under her original name. Converted to
sidewheel propulsion in 1881; renamed Gouldsboro in 1882. Scrapped
in 1944.

Concept/Program: Designed as shallow-draft coastal monitors; were
to be fitted with extra ballast tanks to ballast down and reduce freeboard
when entering battle. The design weight calculations were very badly
flawed, so the ships were badly overweight and had very little freeboard.
When launched, without turret or stores aboard, one of the early ships had
3 inches freeboard. Several ships were, therefore, completed as spar
torpedo boats, without turrets and with thinner deck armor; these vessels
turned out to be utterly useless in this role, due to low speed. The
other vessels were rebuilt with their decks raised, but were
generally
unsatisfactory. Many were never commissioned, and few saw any significant
service. The entire class must be regarded as the least satisfactory
warships of their era.

The exact dates on which the conversions and modifications were ordered
are not known in most cases. However, based on known dates, it appears
that the modifications for the monitors (i.e. raised decks) were ordered
on 24 June 1864, and that the spar torpedo boat conversions were ordered
the following day.

Design: Was not an Ericsson design, but were generally similar to
his designs. The deck was slightly turtle-backed. The hull was so shoal
that the blades of the propeller rotated partially above water, and slots
were cut in the overhanging deck to accommodate this. In the units
completed as torpedo boats there was no turret; the gun was mounted on an
exposed pivot mounting, and a spar torpedo was added. Those completed as
monitors had their hulls deepened (i.e. decks raised) by approximately 22
inches to restore buoyancy; this allowed the design weights to be carried,
but the ships still were not satisfactory. All but Tunxis had this
change made prior to commissioning.

Variations: There appear to have been considerable variations in
the dimensions and weights of the hulls, probably because they were
hurriedly constructed by many different builders, perhaps with incomplete
plans. Tunxis, for example, was much lighter than most, and
was able to float, fully armored and armed with 1x11 inch Dahlgren and 1x8
inch Parrot MLR, prior to having her hull deepened.

Departure from Service/Disposal: All were laid up in reserve ("in
ordinary") promptly after the Civil War, and all were sold for breaking
up in 1874-1875, many without ever having been commissioned.

Was the only ship of this class completed to the original design.
Found to be unseaworthy during her first ocean voyage, 21 September 1864,
and was promptly decommissioned pending modifications. Hull deepened at
William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, starting 19 October 1864; was rearmed
with two 11 inch smoothbore during the rebuilding. Recommissioned 12 July
1866, but was immediately decommissioned to reserve.

Renamed Hydra 15 June 1869, then Ostego 10 August 1869.
Sold and scrapped 1874.

Saw no active service. Decommissioned to reserve 27 June 1865. Renamed
Gorgon 15 June 1869, then Minnetonka 10 August 1869.
Transferred to Harlan & Hollingsworth & Co., Wilmington, DE for
scrapping, 1875, as partial payment for construction of a new monitor by
that yard.

Built by Globe Works, South Boston. Contracted 17 March 1863, launched 1
February 1865, delivered 8 July 1865. May have been commissioned 27 July
1865, but was immediately decommissioned to reserve. Renamed
Spitfire 16 June 1869, then Suncook 10 August 1865.
Scrapped at Philadelphia 1874.

Built by Donald McKay, East Boston. Contracted 10 June 1863,
launched 26 April 1865, commissioned 10 August 1865.

Saw no active service. Decommissioned to reserve 24 August 1865.
Renamed Aetna 16 June 1869, then Nausett 10 August 1869.
Transferred to John Roach, Chester, PA for scrapping, August 1875,
as partial payment for construction of two new monitors by that yard;
scrapped by Roach at New York.

Built by Curtis & Tilden, East Boston. Contracted 2 April 1863, launched
13 March 1865, delivered 22 July 1865. Probably never commissioned and
placed in reserve immediately upon delivery. May have been in commission
but inactive 18 August 1865 to 10 November 1865. Renamed Eolus 15
June 1869, then Shawnee 10 August 1869. Sold 9 September 1875 and
subsequently scrapped.

Built by Harlan & Hollingsworth & Co, Wilmington, DE. Contracted 2 March
1863, launched 26 November 1864, converted to spar torpedo boat prior to
completion, completed 4 May 1865. Never
commissioned; placed in reserve immediately upon delivery. Renamed
Nemesis 15 June 1869, then Napa 10 August 1889.
Transferred to John Roach, Chester, PA for scrapping, 1875,
as partial payment for construction of two new monitors by that yard;
scrapped by Roach at New York.

Built by J.S. Underhill at New York Iron Shipyard. Contracted 4 June
1863, launched 21 March 1865, converted to spar torpedo boat prior to
completion, completed 23 June 1865. Never commissioned; placed in reserve
immediately upon delivery. Renamed Achilles 15 June 1869, then
Modoc 10 August 1869.
Transferred to John Roach, Chester, PA for
scrapping, August 1875, as partial payment for construction of two new
monitors by that yard; scrapped by Roach at New York.

Built at A & W Denmead & Son, Baltimore. Contracted 13 March 1863,
launched 4 May 1865, completed 21 October 1865. Never commissioned;
placed in reserve immediately upon delivery. Renamed Niobe 15 June
1869. Transferred to John Roach, Chester, PA for scrapping, August 1875,
as partial payment for construction of two new monitors by that yard;
scrapped by Roach at New York.

Built by Wilcox & Whiting, Camden, NJ. Contracted 24 April 1863, launched
18 May 1865, suspended 17 June 1865, delivered 28 November 1865. Never
commissioned; placed in reserve immediately upon delivery. Renamed
Argos 15 June 1889, then Koka 10 August 1869.
Transferred to Harlan & Hollingsworth & Co., Wilmington, DE, for
scrapping, August 1875, as partial payment for construction of a new
monitor by that yard; scrapped by Harlan & Hollingsworth at Philadelphia.

Built by Continental Iron Works, Greenpoint, NY. Contracted 17 April 1863,
launched 31 May 1865, delivered 19 January 1866. Never commissioned;
placed in reserve immediately upon delivery. Renamed
Charybdis 16 June 1869, then Cohoes 10 August 1868. Sold
July 1874 and subsequently scrapped.

Built by Charles McCord, St. Louis. Contracted 24 June 1863,
launched 3 July 1865, delivered 12 March 1866. Never commissioned;
placed in reserve immediately upon delivery. Renamed Hectate 15
June 1869, then Etlah 10 August 1869. Sold 12 September 1874 and
subsequently scrapped.

Built by Alex Swift at S.T. Hambleton & Co, Cincinnati. Contracted 26
March 1863, launched 30 May 1865, delivered May 1866. Never commissioned;
placed in reserve immediately upon delivery. Renamed Tempest 15
June 1869, then Yuma 10 August 1869. Sold 12 September 1874 and
subsequently scrapped.

Although intended for seagoing service, the extent to which these large
monitors were truly capable of that service is debatable. They certainly
were not capable of fighting battles on the open ocean in severe or even
moderate sea conditions, but they could undertake ocean voyages and
survive rough seas, in sharp contrast to many of the smaller ships. The
principal advantage offered by these ships would have been the ability to
meet the enemy at a greater distance off the coast, rather than right at
the shoreline.

In design terms, these craft (except the converted Roanoke) were
generally similar to the smaller coastal monitors, but were greatly
enlarged and refined in the details to improve open-ocean performance.
They were also significantly faster than most of the smaller ships.
However, they never had a chance to prove themselves, as only two ships
were completed, and neither saw combat.

Concept/Program: One of the largest monitors of the Civil War era,
and the only one to mount three turrets. Was converted from the steam
frigate Roanoke; prior to conversion the ship was sister to USS
Merrimack (later CSS Virginia). Although not usually
considered as a seagoing ship, she was intended as the first seagoing
monitor in US service, but design flaws prevented her employment in this
role. Was not a success.

Design: Was not an Ericsson design. The wooden frigate was razeed
(cut down) and the remaining freeboard armored; three turrets were fitted.
A fourth turret had been planned, but the weight could not be
accommodated. Pilothouses were fitted on two turrets; there was a tall
funnel, and possibly a hurricane deck, but no other superstructure. The
armament was oddly distributed, but in total amounted to two each 15 inch
Dahlgrens, 11 inch Dahlgrens, and 8 inch Parrots. The wooden hull was too
weak for the weight of the armor and turrets, and the stern was damaged
when the ship was re-launched. She had high freeboard (for a monitor),
but rolled heavily and was generally unseaworthy.

Operational: Due to her unseaworthiness, she was confined to
harbor defense duties at Hampton Roads, and saw no action.

Built by Norfolk Navy Yard. Launched 18 December 1855, commissioned 4 May
1857. Decommissioned to reserve 24 September 1857; recommissioned 18
August 1858. Again decommissioned to reserve in May, 1860; recommissioned
for war service 20 June 1861. Decommissioned for conversion 25 March 1862
and converted at Novelty Iron Works, New York. Conversion completed and
accepted by the Navy 16 April 1863; recommissioned as a harbor defense ship
29 June 1863.

Served as a harbor defense ship at Norfolk. Decommissioned to reserve 20 June 1865. Recommissioned
to commissioned reserve 13 January 1874; decommissioned to reserve 12 June
1875.
Transferred to John Roach, Chester, PA for scrapping, 1876, as partial
payment for construction of a new monitor by that yard, but approval for
scrapping was revoked and the ship remained at the Roach shipyard,
nominally in reserve. Stricken for disposal 5 August 1882, sold 27
September 1883 and scrapped at Chester, PA.

Concept/Program: The first purpose-built US monitor intended to be
truly seagoing; was designed as a "seagoing high speed monitor". Although
her speed and seaworthiness were an improvement over previous ships, the
design had problems, and she left much to be desired.

Design: A single-turret Ericsson design, generally increased in
size over the coastal ships, with the lines of the raft improved, and with
less overhang. There was a tall funnel and tall ventilation shaft; there
probably was a light hurricane deck amidships. Design speed was 15 knots,
but this was not reached. The design was overweight, reducing freeboard
to 16 inches. The main shaft bearings were too short, resulting in
excessive wear.

Concept/Program: Intended as a "seagoing high speed monitor".
Ultimately would have been an enlarged version of Dictator,
carrying the largest diameter guns ever fitted in a ship. The ship went
through a complete redesign prior to construction, and was never
completed. The ship was nominally "repaired" as a "New Navy" monitor, but
in fact was sold to the shipbuilder as partial payment for a new ship, and
was scrapped.

Design: A compromise design between Ericsson and the Navy. The
original design was for a dual turreted ship with four 10 inch Dahlgren
smoothbores, but this was altered to the single turreted design listed above.
Ericsson favored a single turret and single shaft; the Navy wanted dual
turrets and dual shafts. There were problems in producing the 20 inch
guns, and only one was ever cast.
Design speed was 15 knots, but it is believed that horsepower and speed
would have been similar to Dictator.

Contracted to John Ericsson; construction subcontracted to Continental
Iron Works, Greenpoint, NY. Contracted 28 July 1862, launched 2 July 1864.
Completion was delayed by problems in obtaining the guns. Suspended 1865;
never completed. Transferred to John Roach, Chester, PA for scrapping,
1874, as partial payment for a new monitor of the same name.

Concept/Program: The largest monitors ordered during the Civil War.
Would have been far more seaworthy than any of the previous classes. Were
incomplete at the end of the Civil War but were improperly preserved and
protected while awaiting a decision on future completion; ultimately had
to be scrapped after their timbers became rotten.

Design: A Navy design. Essentially an enlarged version of the
Miantonomoh class, with improved lines. Freeboard was projected to
be 45 inches. The turrets would have been as in Dictator. The hull
was wooden with iron structure to support the turrets. There would have
been pilothouses on the turrets, a hurricane deck, two tall funnels, and a
tall ventilation shaft.

Kalamazoo

Laid down at New York Navy Yard December 1863. Suspended 17 November 1865.
Renamed Colossus 15 June 1869. Never launched; scrapped 1884.

Laid down at Philadelphia Navy Yard November-December 1863. Suspended 17
November 1865. Apparently was the most complete of the class at the time
of suspension. Renamed Hecla 15 June 1869, then Nebraska 10
August 1869. Never launched; scrapped January 1874 to March 1875.